Tech

Apple's CarPlay: What You Need to Know

Apple finally took the wraps off its in-car software platform, CarPlay on Monday. Now that that we've had some time to take a look at its particulars, it's time to delve into exactly what this new mobile environment means for the drivers and automakers alike.

“iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips," said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS product marketing, in a statement. "CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction."

We won't see a public demonstration of the system until March 6 at the Geneva Motor Show, so details on CarPlay's performance are scant. With that in mind, here's what we know so far based on the information available.

Who It's For

The system will only work with iPhones that have the Lightning port connector — which means if you have anything older than an iPhone 5, you won't be able to use CarPlay. Also, while the iPad now sports the Lightning connector, Apple doesn't list it as one of the approved devices, which could mean that this will be an iPhone-only service.

How It Works

CarPlay lets you transfer some of the most basic functions on your iPhone to your car's dashboard. Among the features are iOS system tools such as Siri, iTunes, Maps and Messages. CarPlay also allows the user to make hands-free phone calls and listen to voice mails.

To access any of the features, you touch the dashboard screen directly, just as you would on the iPhone. To minimize visual distractions during driving, Siri can also be accessed via a voice control button on the steering wheel.

This last point is particularly important given the strict rules surrounding using your smartphone while driving. Still, a case that made news last week, in which a court ruled that it was okay to check a smartphone map while driving, indicates that the law may gradually be shifting to accommodate smart cars.

Which Cars Will Have It

The first cars to get CarPlay are, predictably, in the luxury class. They include Mercedes Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. All three automobile brands will debut their CarPlay-enabled vehicles this week in Geneva.

Other automobile brands confirmed for inclusion in the CarPlay rollout are BMW, Toyota, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Ford. That last one is particularly interesting, considering that Ford has been aggressively working to promote its own in-car software system, Sync (more on that later).

Apple has not indicated when these other automobile brands will launch their CarPlay vehicles.

Can Other Apps Play In CarPlay?

By now, it's obvious that the killer app for any in-car software system is mapping and navigation. And while the Apple Maps app has improved greatly since its launch, Google Maps is still the gold standard. So will Apple allow Google Maps onto its CarPlay system? We've reached out to the company to find out, but it isn't saying anything yet.

Assuaging users who were angry about the removal of Google Maps from iOS is one thing. The notion that it might include a major rival like Google on its product in an entirely new market, cars, may be expecting too much from Apple at this point.

The iOS system apps-only environment of CarPlay is likely to stay that way, at least until Apple has a chance to get a firm grip on exactly what drivers want. That will only happen over time, as more and more CarPlay-enabled vehicles become available over the next couple of years.

CarPlay vs. the Competition

Seamless in-car app systems are still a relatively young market, with no one player emerging as a clear-cut winner yet. But CarPlay does have at least two serious competitors to consider.

Ford's SYNC, like CarPlay, is designed to provide a hands-free in-car entertainment system with the ability to make phone calls, read your incoming text messages aloud and play music. Unlike CarPlay, SYNC allows third-party map navigation apps onto its platform, such as TomTom and Telenav's Scout app.

In January, Ford announced a major app development program to drive the growth of its platform. Based on recent comments, however, Ford isn't interested in any kind of in-car platform war. Following the CarPlay announcement, a Ford spokesperson indicated in one report that the company intends to work with Apple as well as Microsoft in the development of in-car software solutions.

There's very little information available regarding exactly what Projected Mode is capable of, but considering Google's advanced work on automated car systems, and continued development of Android as a mobile platform, it would be foolish to ignore such a potentially powerful in-car system, even sight unseen.

It's too early in the in-car platform wars to determine how this may all shake out. But in the meantime, Apple's CarPlay looks like an attractive, and refreshingly simple first step for the uninitiated into the world of in-car software systems. If the trajectory of the mobile phone platform wars is any indication, this kind of early intense competition will be very good for drivers.

UPDATE, March 4, 1:05 p.m.: An Apple spokesperson in contact with Mashable has confirmed that the iPad will not be supported for the CarPlay system.

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